Guide to the USS Monitor Design and Construction Collection, Catalog Number MS335
The Library at The Mariners' Museum
Contact Information: The Library at The Mariners' Museum 100 Museum Drive Newport News, VA 23606 Phone: (757) 5917782 Fax: (757) 5917310 Email: [email protected] URL: www.mariner.org/library
Processed by: Lisa Wilson, 2005 DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Repository: The Library at The Mariners' Museum Title: USS Monitor Design and Construction Collection Catalog number: MS335 Accession number: A2004.15 Physical Characteristics: 100 items Language: English Creators: Cornelius S. Bushnell, C.H. Delamater, John A. Griswold, Thomas Harrison, Thomas F. Rowland, William Smith, John F. Winslow, and C.W Whitney.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This collection consists of 100 items documenting the political machinations, financing, and construction of the United States Navy ironclad USS Monitor. The majority of the materials are receipts, correspondence, and telegrams addressed to John A. Griswold, from the varied companies and individuals contracted to design and construct the USS Monitor.
Among the correspondents are Cornelius S. Bushnell, C.H. Delamater, Thomas F. Rowland, John F. Winslow, William Smith, Thomas Harrison, and C.W. Whitney. The major subcontractors were: Albany Iron Works, Clute Brothers Foundry, Continental Iron Works, Delamater Iron Works, H. Abbott and Sons, Holdane and Company, Niagara Steam Forge, Novelty Iron Works, and Rensselaer Iron Works.
The papers were donated in 2004, “In recognition of the spirit and legacy of the Class of 1947, United States Military Academy.”
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Accession number A2004.15 Accession date 2004 Restrictions Collection is open to all researchers. Publication Rights Copies of any materials may not be reproduced, published, or distributed, in any form without written permission from The Mariners’ Museum. Preferred Citation USS Monitor Design and Construction Collection: MS335 The Library at The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, Virginia “In recognition of the spirit and legacy of the Class of 1947, United States Military Academy.” Note to Users Due to the fragile and rare nature of the collection, researchers are requested to handle the materials with caution and in accordance with proscribed archival practices. When using these materials, please preserve the original order of the collection.
BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL SKETCH
Desperate to break the Federal blockade, Confederate engineers and workers labored throughout the summer of 1861 to convert the Federal frigate USS Merrimac into the ironclad CSS Virginia. Progress of the conversion was reported in Southern newspapers and picked up by the press in the North. As work progressed on the Virginia, it became evident to Secretary of the United States Navy Gideon Welles that if the conversion of the Merrimac were successful, no Federal ship could stop her. The need to offset this threat spurred the Navy Department to create an Ironclad Board. Consisting of navy officers, the Board was charged with seeking and evaluating plans for the construction of ironclad vessels for Federal service.
On August 3, 1861, Secretary Welles published an announcement calling for the submission of designs and plans of ironclads to the Navy Ironclad Board. Many designs were presented to the board. This included a proposal by Cornelius Bushnell and Samuel Pook for an ironclad steamer that eventually became the USS Galena. In creating the plans for his steamer, Bushnell sought the advice of renowned engineer John Ericsson. Ericsson showed Bushnell his plans and model of an “impregnable iron battery” designed for Napoleon III of France in 1854. Bushnell was so impressed with Ericsson's radical designs that he presented them to Secretary Welles. Secretary Welles agreed that the design had "extraordinary and valuable features" and that it should be submitted to the Ironclad Board for consideration. Bushnell presented Ericsson's designs to the Board. However, Ericsson’s ironclad designs were rejected as too outlandish for consideration. Undaunted, Bushnell persuaded Ericsson to appear before the Board to defend the design.
When the Ironclad Board submitted its final report to Secretary Welles, Ericsson's design was one of three recommended for approval. On October 4, 1861, the Department of the Navy signed a contract with John Ericsson, Cornelius Bushnell, John F. Winslow, and John A. Griswold for the construction of an “iron clad battery”. The contract stipulated that total compensation for the ship would be $275,000 spread over equal payments of $50,000 each based on progress of construction of the ship. From each payment, the Navy Department would retain 25% until the Monitor was proven to be successful in every way or payment would be withheld. According to the contract, construction of the “battery” must be completed within 100 days. To meet the deadline set by the government, Ericsson subcontracted the construction and fabrication of his ironclad to eight foundries. In a particularly ambitious plan, each subcontractor supplied various components of the ship at separate locations, shipping the completed parts to a central location for assembly. John A. Griswold, principal partner in Rensselaer Iron Works and owner of Bessemer steel patents, was selected to oversee the financial management of the project. His associates, John F. Winslow, coowner of Albany Iron Works, oversaw the procurement of the necessary iron and armor plate for the “Battery” and Thomas Rowland, of the Continental Iron Works at Green Point, New York, was contracted for the final construction of the Monitor.
Delamater Iron Works of New York City constructed the engines and boilers, Novelty Iron Works of New York City rolled the iron plates for the turret and oversaw its assembly, and Clute Brothers and Company of Schenectady produced the donkey engine to power the turret. Holdane and Company of New York City, Albany Iron Works of Troy, and H. Abbot and Son of Baltimore rolled additional iron plate for the turret, as well as bars and rivets. The Niagara Steam Forge of Buffalo, New York, furnished two iron port stoppers. As these parts were produced, they were shipped to Continental Iron Works in Green Point, New York, where the hull was laid and the final assembly was performed.
The assembly of the Monitor was in itself an amazing engineering feat. Eight foundries, working independently and perhaps with no clear idea of what the final product would look like, successfully produced Ericsson’s Iron Clad Battery. When the ship was launched on January 30, 1861, Ericsson and his associates had missed his one hundred day deadline by 18 days, but no one seemed to notice. The United States Navy had its Monitor to check the South's Virginia.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
The papers are in a single series of correspondence. The material is arranged in ascending chronological order.
Series I: Correspondence, 18611890.
Arranged chronologically, this series is comprised of letters and telegrams from 1861 and 1862 between the individuals and companies involved in the design and construction of the USS Monitor and the USS Galena. Many of the letters include information on the businesses involved in constructing and providing parts and services for the Monitor during the U.S. Civil War. Also included in the collection is the original envelope that housed the collection since 1890. FOLDER LISTING
BOX 1: CORRESOPNDENCE
Folder 1 Finding Aid
Folder 2 Background Information
Folder 3 Correspondence, August 1861
August 26, 1861: New Haven, CT. Onepage letter from Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Winslow and John Griswold. Bushnell mentions a ship’s drawing (Galena) submitted for Winslow’s and Griswold’s improvement and states that they should go to Washington as soon as possible. In the letter, Bushnell states that he has responded to Commodore Smith and that they were prepared to make a strong argument for their case to the Ironclad Board. [MS335.01.03.01]
August 27, 1861: New York Telegram from Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Winslow. Bushnell states that the drawing of the Galena is on the 7AM train from New York by carrier. [MS335.01.03.02]
August 28, 1861: New Haven, CT. Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Winslow. Bushnell invites Winslow to travel with him on Tuesday evening to Washington, D.C. He states that there is no use in going sooner. [MS335.01.03.03]
Folder 4 Correspondence, September 1861
September 21, 1861: New York Telegram, John A. Griswold to John F. Winslow. Griswold asks to meet with Winslow for the trip to Washington, D.C., the next night. [MS335.01.04.01]
September 30, 1861: New Haven, CT. Onepage letter, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John F. Winslow. Bushnell informs Winslow that Samuel Pook will send a model of the Galena and that Bushnell will meet with him unless he can come down to meet with John Ericsson. [MS335.01.04.02] Folder 5 Correspondence, October 1861
October 2, 1861: Rensselaer Iron Works, Troy, New York Onepage letter, John A. Griswold to John F. Winslow. Griswold writes that he can devote a mill; have the mill running within 20 days, with the addition of a furnace; and that he will make a sketch to share with Winslow. [MS335.01.05.01]
October 9, 1861: New Haven, Connecticut Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Griswold and John Winslow. Bushnell indicates that he and Samuel Pook will be at John Ericsson’s house tomorrow and asks whether they can attend. [MS335.01.05.02]
Folder 6 Correspondence, October 1861
October 19, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,000 as first payment on the account “for constructing the Ericsson Battery.” Rowland states that the money will be paid for labor, “thus giving it a good circulation.” [MS335.01.06.01]
October 19, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York. Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 as first payment for Ericsson Battery. [MS335.01.06.02]
Folder 7 Correspondence, October 1861
October 28, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York. Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000. Delamater requests smaller notess than the $5 and $10 notes sent. [MS335.01.07.01]
October 28, 1861: New Haven, Connecticut Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Griswold. Bushnell states that he expects to be in New York on Wednesday and would like to meet with Griswold. [MS335.01.07.02] October 28, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,000, as second payment for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.07.03]
October 29, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York. Onepage letter, C.H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt of two payments of $1,500 each. [MS335.01.07.04] Folder 8 Correspondence, November 1861
November 4, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,500, as third payment for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). Rowland states that $500 arrived via National Express from Troy, New York and $1,000 arrived via Adams Express from New Haven, Connecticut. [MS335.01.08.01]
November 12, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,000 from Cornelius S. Bushnell. Rowland requests payment of $500 and asks Griswold to send future correspondence to the Green Point office, not the New York office. [MS335.01.08.02]
Folder 9 Correspondence, November 1861
November 16, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor) and an accounting of notes received to date equaling $13,000. [MS335.01.09.01]
November 16, 1861: New Haven, Connecticut Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Griswold. Bushnell states that he will meet Griswold on Tuesday in New Haven. [MS335.01.09.02]
November 18, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Statement of payments received from Griswold for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor) for a total amount of $6,500. [MS335.01.09.03]
Folder 10 Correspondence, November 1861
November 19, 1861: Troy, New York Onepage letter, John A. Griswold to John Winslow. Griswold requests a rough sketch of armor of the Galena to show Bushnell at their meeting scheduled for the next day. [MS335.01.10.01]
November 21, 1861: Washington, DC. Onepage letter, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John A. Griswold. Bushnell states that he met with the Commodore (Smith) and learned that the Navy has $30,000 to spend on the project. He asks Griswold to send $5,000 and to pressure Winslow for payment. Bushnell also asks Griswold to make immediate preparations in Mystic for pulling plate for the Galena. [MS335.01.10.02] Folder 11 Correspondence, November 1861
November 25, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.11.01]
November 25, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,500 for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.11.02]
November 25, 1861: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,108.52. [MS335.01.11.03]
Folder 12 Correspondence, November 1861
November 27, 1861: New York Onepage letter, William Smith (Eagle Steam Saw Mill) to John A. Griswold. Smith encloses a certified Bill of Timber sent to Continental Iron Works for $3,503.85, in accordance with an order from John F. Winslow. [MS335.01.12.01]
Folder 13 Correspondence, December 1861
December 2, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York. Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.13.01]
December 2, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,500. Rowland notes that this is the 7th payment for building the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.13.02]
December 2, 1861: New York Onepage letter, Novelty Iron Works to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $993.29. [MS335.01.13.03]
Folder 14 Correspondence, December 1861
December 5, 1861: New York Onepage letter, Smith, Hegeman & Co. to Corning Winslow Company. States that invoice was sent to Thomas Rowland and was returned certified. [MS335.01.14.01] December 5, 1861: New Haven, Connecticut Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Griswold. Bushnell states that he cannot come to Troy, but can settle all issues by seeing Griswold. [MS335.01.14.02]
December 7, 1861: New Haven, Connecticut Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Griswold. Bushnell requests for a response to his proposal sent in a letter dated October 4 th, 1861. [MS335.01.14.03]
Folder 15 Correspondence, December 1861
December 9, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,500 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.15.01]
December 9, 1861: New York Onepage letter, Smith, Hegeman & Co. to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $189.57. [MS335.01.15.02]
December 9, 1861: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Statement of the account for November 1861. Whitney requests that notes be payable in New York to save the charges for conversion in Troy. [MS335.01.15.03]
Folder 16 Correspondence, December 1861
December 12, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.16.01]
December 16, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $3,000 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.16.02]
December 19, 1861: New York Telegram, Cornelius S. Bushnell to John Griswold. Bushnell stats that he has an important matter to discuss with Griswold. [MS335.01.16.03] Folder 17 Correspondence, December 1861
December 20, 1861: New York Onepage letter, Black & Secor to John A. Griswold. Request for payment on a $586.90 bill for screw bolts. The bill was left at the Continental Works, but was intended to go to Griswold. [MS335.01.17.01]
December 21, 1861: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $3,000 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.17.02]
December 23, 1861: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Statement enclosing bills. Whitney requests that an erroneous bill from November 9, 1861, be destroyed. [MS335.01.17.03]
Folder 18 Correspondence, December 1861
December 24, 1861: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Request for payments. [MS335.01.18.01]
December 27, 1861: New York Onepage letter, Thomas Peterson to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $252.81 for labor to instal the boilers in Ericsson’s Battery (USS Monitor) at Green Point, New York. [MS335.01.18.02]
December 27, 1861: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $4,921.90, to which 3.5% is added for conversion making the amount of money due $5,094.16. [MS35.01.18.03]
December 30, 1861: New York, Delamater Iron Works Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). Also included is an accounting of notes received in November 1861 totaling $6,079.96. [MS335.01.18.04]
Folder 19 Correspondence, January 1862
January 4, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.19.01] January 4, 1862: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $4,000 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.19.02]
January 4, 1862: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $5,094.16. Whitney states that John Ericsson originally thought Corning, Winslow & Co. would pay for the iron. [MS335.01.19.03]
January 7, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Request for three payments from December 1861, totaling $4202.05. [MS335.01.19.04]
Folder 20 Correspondence, January 1862
January 10, 1862: New York Onepage letter, H. R. Worthington to John A. Griswold. Receipt for payment in full of $582.22 bill. [MS335.01.20.01]
January 10, 1862: New York Onepage letter, Thomas Harrison to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $417.33. [MS335.01.20.02]
January 10, 1862: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Whitney states that accountings of the bills requested are enclosed and that additional bills are being sent by Rowland and will be forwarded. [MS335.01.20.03]
Folder 21 Correspondence, January 1862
January 10, 1862: New York Onepage letter, William Smith (Eagle Steam Saw Mill) to John A. Griswold. Smith encloses a certified Bill of Timber sent to Continental Iron Works for $2,283.24 according to an order from John F. Winslow. [MS335.01.21.01]
January 10, 1862: New York Onepage letter, John A. Krenochan to Corning, Winslow & Co. Reminder notice for payment of two December 1861 invoices for $369.75 and $357.57. [MS335.01.21.02] Folder 22 Correspondence, January 1862
January 11, 1862: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $3,000 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.22.01]
January 13, 1862: Troy, New York Onepage letter, Corning Winslow Co. (Albany Iron Works letterhead) to John A. Griswold. The bill for iron bought by Thomas Rowland is forwarded to Griswold for payment. The iron cost $83.85 and had a 5% cash discount making the total owed $79.66. [MS335.01.22.02]
January 13, 1862: Troy, New York Onepage letter, Corning Winslow Co. (Albany Iron Works letterhead) to John A. Griswold. Two December 1861 bills from John A. Kernochan are forwarded for payment; requests a credit on their account with Kernochan for $110.36; asks that a receipt be sent; and requests that $610.90 be paid to Kernochan. [MS335.01.22.03]
Folder 23 Correspondence, January 1862
January 17, 1862: Troy, New York Onepage letter, Corning Winslow Co. (Albany Iron Works letterhead) to John A. Griswold. Checking whether Clute Brothers had paid a $235.29 bill owed Albany Iron Works. [MS335.01.23.01]
January 18, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS35.01.23.02]
January 18, 1862: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $3,941.44. Rowland notes that this is the 14th payment for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.23.03]
Folder 24 Correspondence, January 1862
January 20, 1862: New York Onepage letter, William Smith (Eagle Steam Saw Mill) to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,283.24. Returned for Winslow’s endorsement. [MS335.01.24.01] January 20, 1862: Buffalo, New York Onepage letter, T. D. Patchin (Niagara Steam Forge) to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $503.58 payment in full for his account. [MS335.01.24.02]
Folder 25 Correspondence, January 1862
January 21, 1862: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, George A. Kingsland to John A. Griswold. Receipt of $441.44 via Thomas Rowland for work on the Ericsson Battery Ship (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.25.01]
January 21, 1862: Green Point, NY. Twopage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Rowland acknowledges receipt of $500.00, $441.44 having been paid to Kingsland and the remainder of $58.56 to be credited to the account. The balance on the account to date is $34,000. [MS335.01.25.02]
Folder 26 Correspondence, January 1862
January 22, 1862: Rensselaer Iron Works, Troy, New York Onepage letter, John A. Griswold to John R. Winslow. Payment of $235.29 for the account with Clute Brothers for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.26.01]
January 22, 1862: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Request for payments on December 1861 account in four parts of about $2,000 each. [MS335.01.26.02]
January 22, 1862. Onepage letter, Alfred B. Sands for L. H. Tooker. Receipt for $151.50. [MS335.01.26.03]
Folder 27 Correspondence, January 1862
January 23, 1862: New York Onepage letter, William Smith (Eagle Steam Saw Mill) to John A. Griswold. Smith states that he received the note for $2,283.24 on January 22nd, endorsed by Winslow as instructed. However, the notes were not discounted at 7½ percent and therefore, they are returning the note and expect a draft on a New York bank for that amount less charges already mentioned. [MS335.01.27.01] January 23, 1862: New York Onepage letter, E. W. Barstow to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,293.67 for chains and anchors for the Ericsson Steam Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.27.02]
January 23, 1862: Troy, New York Onepage letter, Corning Winslow Co. to John A. Griswold. Receipt of $235.29 for transfer to Clute Brother’s account. [MS335.01.27.03]
Folder 28 Correspondence, January 1862
January 24, 1862: Schenectady, New York Onepage letter, Clute Brothers to John A. Griswold. Receipt of $2,521.58 for furnished for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). Acknowledgment was delayed because they waited for receipts from Albany Iron Works. [MS335.01.28.01]
January 25, 1862: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $3,500 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.28.02]
January 25, 1862: New York Twopage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. The contractor in Baltimore to whom Griswold offered to discount paper (related to charges for money) refuses his offer, but agrees to accept payment with New York funds. Whitney encloses December and January bills; requests prompt payment; and attributes accounting problems to Rowland’s bookkeeper. [MS335.01.28.03]
Folder 29 Correspondence, January 1862
January 28, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.29.01]
January 29, 1862: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Receipt of four payments for December: $2,206 (three) and $2,207.13 (one). Whitney states that the reason for bringing up the neglect of Green Point bookkeeper was to point out the source of the delay in forwarding notes, not an effort to find fault with Griswold’s business. [MS335.01.29.02] January 29, 1862: New York Onepage letter, J. A. Chamberlain (Bussing, Crocker & Company) to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $401.25 from Metropolitan Bank for insurance. [MS335.01.29.03]
Folder 30 Correspondence, January 1862
January 29, 1862: Delamater Iron Works. New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Notice to deduct from account the cost of an old piston, the weight of which was overcharged. [MS335.01.30.01]
January 31, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.30.02]
Folder 31 Correspondence, February 1862
February 1, 1862: Green Point, New York Onepage letter, Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,500 for the Ericsson Steam Floating Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.31.01]
February 4, 1862: New York Onepage letter, Bussing, Crocker & Company to John A. Griswold. Note indicating that “we had done nothing about the iron as yet so that we can be governed by your later views.” [MS335.01.31.02]
February 7, 1862: New York Onepage letter, Thomas Harrison to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $772.04. [MS335.01.31.03]
Folder 32 Correspondence, February 1862
February 8, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $2,000 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.32.01]
February 8, 1862: Jersey City, New Jersey Onepage letter, Chrisman & Darbin to Corning, Winslow & Co. Bill for delivery of plate iron to Albany as per Rowland’s request. [MS335.01.32.02] Folder 33 Correspondence, February 1862
February 12, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Request for payment on January 22, 1862 note for $1,905.28. [MS335.01.33.01]
February 15, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Delamater requests payment on January 4, 1862 note for $1,187.41 and January 11, 1862 note for $1,251.46. [MS335.01.33.02]
February 15, 1862: New York Onepage letter, E. Bootman & Son to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $500 for painting the “Iron Battery now being completed at Green Point.” [MS335.01.33.03]
Folder 34 Correspondence, February 1862
February 18, 1862: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Receipt of four payments totaling $10,939.30. Whitney thanks Griswold for bringing to his attention an overlooked February 5, 1862 charge of $12.40 for a sheet of iron. [MS335.01.34.01]
February 19, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $1,905.28 for Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.34.02]
Folder 35 Correspondence, February 1862
February 20, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter, C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Receipts for $1,251.45 and $1,187.41 for the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.35.01]
February 20, 1862: New York Onepage letter, C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Statement for amount due for bar iron that includes the bill omitted in H. Abbott & Son’s statement. [MS335.01.35.02]
February 20, 1862: New York Onepage letter, J. W. Southack (B. K. Dickerman) to John A. Griswold. Receipt of $108.25 on the Troy City Bank for furniture for the USS Monitor. [MS335.01.35.03] Folder 36 Correspondence, February 1862
February 21, 1862: New York Onepage letter, Novelty Iron Works to John A. Griswold. Note indicating that the usual weekly package of money did not arrive. [MS335.01.36.01]
February 21, 1862: New York Onepage letter, M. B. Smith (Wm. D. Andrews & Bros.) to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $186.19 and request for additional $11.25 for a few articles. [MS335.01.36.02]
Folder 37 Correspondence, February 1862
February 21, 1862: New York Onepage letter, James A. Robinson (Ericsson Caloric Engine Agency) to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $505.00. [MS335.01.37.01]
February 21, 1862: New York. Onepage letter, Benjamin Fike to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $100.00 for work on the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.37.02]
Folder 38 Correspondence, February 1862
February 25, 1862: Continental Works, Green Point Onepage letter from Thomas F. Rowland to John A. Griswold. Rowland states that he will forward invoices for iron received. “The iron called for in the accompanying invoices has been received by me, and I have previously certified the same, and returned the invoices to you (marked Invoice no. 1 dated Oct 21st).” Ms335.01.38.01]
February 25, 1862: New York Onepage letter from C. W. Whitney to John A. Griswold. Whitney includes receipt for $493.51 in his letter and credits Griswold $12.40 due to H. Abbott & Sons. [MS335.01.38.02]
Folder 39 Correspondence, February 1862
February 26, 1862: New York Onepage letter from E. S. Hidden (E. Williams) to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $235.30 for work done on the Ericsson Battery (USS Monitor). [MS335.01.39.01] February 26, 1862: New York Onepage letter from J. W. Atwater to John A. Griswold. Atwater includes receipt for $65.00 on the January 30th bill within the letter and requests payment of three bills that were sent to John Ericsson. [MS335.01.39.02]
February 27, 1862: New York Onepage letter from Thomas Shepard to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $405.50. [MS335.01.39.03]
Folder 40 Correspondence, March 1862
March 5, 1862: New York Onepage letter from E. V. Haughwont & Co. to John A. Griswold. Receipt for $372.20. [MS335.01.40.01]
March 7, 1862: New York Onepage letter from E. Bootman & Son to John A. Griswold. Contains receipt for $816.10 for the painting the ironclad Monitor. [MS335.01.40.02]
Folder 41 Correspondence, April 1862
April 7, 1862: Delamater Iron Works, New York Onepage letter from C. H. Delamater to John A. Griswold. Delamater submits his request for four final payments, totaling $5,006.96, and a check for the balance of $150.29. After which, he comments, that his accounts for the Monitor will be completed. [MS335.01.41.01]
Folder 42 Correspondence, August 1862
August 19, 1862: New York. Threepage letter from W. L. Barnes to John A. Griswold. Barnes discusses the need to contact Orington before they can proceed with the sale of rights; mentions that Delamater’s bookkeeper “absconded yesterday with $5,000 of funds provided to pay off his hands”; and comments that he has seen John Ericsson. Ericsson fears that the vessel at Chester will not get out of the river before the ice will prevent her from sailing. [MS335.01.42.01]
Folder 43 Correspondence, August 1890
August 14, 1890: New York. Envelope from U.S. Navy Department, Commandant’s Office, Navy Yard, New York addressed to Mrs. John A. Griswold in care of Mr. George S. Geer (John A. Griswold died in 1872). [MS335.01.43.01] MATERIALS REMOVED None
SOURCES CONSULTED
Cornelius S. Bushnell National Memorial Association. The Story of the Monitor, New Haven: Cornelius S. Bushnell National Memorial Association, 1899.
Peterkin, Ernest W. Drawings of the USS Monitor. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service; Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Dept. of Cultural Resources, 1985.
Still, William N. Jr. Monitor Builders: A Historical Study of the Principal Firms and Individuals Involved in the Construction of USS Monitor. Washington, DC: National Maritime Initiative, Division of History, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 1988.
Thomas F. Rowland Collection, 18611903: MS376, The Library at The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, Virginia
SUBJECTS
Bushnell, Cornelius S. Ericsson, John Galena (Ironclad ; 1862) Griswold, John A. Monitor (Ironclad ; 1862) Rowland, Thomas F. United States – History – Civil War, 1861 1865 Winslow, John F.